- Ohrid pearls - Talev family - Kliment and Son - Tradition more than 80 years -

The Ohrid pearls one of the trade marks of Ohrid , is very famous in Europe and all over the world. .It is very valuable (esteemed) because of natural origin and hand made. Its production is art and unique. The natural pearls are durable 150 years, but Ohrid pearl is durable for ever.
The most famous Ohrid family Talevi, produced Ohrid pearls, more than 90 years tradition.

Ohrid Pearls made by Talev family

In 1964 Kliment Talev became successor of this family business and in this moment his son Vane is learning handwork of making Ohrid pearls. He will carry over this family business to his two sons, Kliment and Mihail.

Kliment and his son Vane today manage with the business

-Kliment Talev-

Talev's shop

-Vane Talev-

Ohrid family Talevi is a synonym of unique, natural pearls. Their business is carry over from generation to generation only from father to son.

This family business was started in 1924 , by his father Vane and his uncle Mihail when they bought formula in Russia for 25 napoleons for production of pearls. Mihail from Bethlehem bought materials and they started to work.

Vane inovator of Ohrid Pearls 1902-1964

In 1964 Kliment Talev became successor of this family business and in this moment his son Vane is learning handwork of making Ohrid pearl. He will carry over this family business to his two sons, Kliment and Mihail. Ohrid family Talevi worked only with natural materials from mother-of-pearl and shell which they buy from abroad. Every grain of pearl is made by hand and they gave certificates for them. Before he started to work, Talev put the grains of pearls on tooth-picks on wooden desk of 1m.

selling Ohrid pearls in 1935

-We work only with natural materials. Even the brush is made from fibers from squirrel and horse. And the emulsion has the same old formula which my father and my uncle bought in 1924 – says Kliment Talev. Every grain of pearl is smeared by special emulsion, which is a family secret.It is made out of a shell covered with an emulsion made out of the scales of the local fish called “ Plashica “.
Smearing from one to another grain of pearl takes 45 min. or one hour to dry well. Talev says that it is not recommend to range the same day , it is better to do it the next day. The surface of the pearl is characterized by a high velvety shine, a reflection in all the colors of the rainbow.

father of Kliment, Vane at workroom in 1935

Most famous persons from Macedonia and from foreign countries bought Ohrid Pearls from Talev family. Several persons are: president of Macedonia – Branko Crvenkoski, The ambassador of China, the wife of ambassador of Japan, vice president of Luxemburg – L. Polfer, Mrs. Falk Al Hasad sister of king of Syria, Mrs. Evelin Herfkens – Holland, Ana Lind, Mrs. Maria Damanaki, Mrs. Marija Tisen etc.
The British queen Elizabeth in her Jewelry collection possesses Ohrid Pearl that in 2001 Vilma Trajkovska gave as a present – says Kliment Talev.

Queen Elizabeth have on Ohrid Pearls
made by Talev family

The pictures above present how Kliment and Vane made Ohrid pearls by hand. The technology is old more then 80 years.